Historic Roots

Origins of the Eichlers and other mid-century modern homes

Soul Searching: Photographer, Leland Lee
Fire-ravaged architectural photographer Leland Lee, 91, longs to keep alive a four-decade legacy
Beyond Flash and Fantasy
John Lautner's 'keeping it real' approach to architecture—visionary yet down-to-earth, space age yet eternal
Encore Performance: The Gary Cooper House
Designed with star power by architect A. Quincy Jones—the Cooper house takes center stage for the second time
Retro Living: Blasts from the Past
15 retrolicious ways to break through the time warp and relive the mid-century today
Bohemia by the Bay: Looking Back on the Beat Generation
Non-conformist spirits of the mid-century and their San Francisco haven
Buried Treasures: Unearthing Time Capsules
Mysterious time capsules—returning from deep sleep to evoke the 'now' for future generations
Steel Houses: Steel Ideal
Meet 12 California classics: Are these the Golden State's finest modern steel houses?
Falling for a Futuro
A tenacious California architect takes on the restoration of his out-of-this-world dream home
The Summit (a.k.a. the Eichler Summit)
Once a tower of controversy and Eichler's dream, meet this legend of 'non-pretentious elegance'
Eichler vs. Eichler
Despite a domineering father he battled head-to-head, Ned Eichler forged his own path—beyond Eichler Homes
Joe Eichler Profile
Eichler's iron will, steadfast vision, and unwavering integrity were vital to his success as merchant builder
Eichler Architect, Bob Anshen: Self-Made Man
The Bay Area architect was a mastermind whose inventions included Eichler homes—and himself
Touching the Soul: In Memoriam, Ernie Braun (1921-2010)
Photographer Ernie Braun helped to define the Eichler home—but architecture was only a start
Historic Quest: Exploding the Myths of Historic District Designation
What it means to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places
Historic Quest: Eichlers in the National Register
At last—Eichlers get their place in history, reach the National Register of Historic Places
Historic Life Lines: Preservation Organizations
Resources for historic preservation
Roots of the Eichler Gable
The soaring central peak took the Eichler design to new heights—with drama and greater buyer appeal
Eichler Subdivisions: Eichler's Early Years: 1951-'52
Award-winning experiments of design innovation—touring Eichler's early California subdivisions
The Mystery of the Eichler Atrium
An inside look at the 'hole in the house' sheds light on when and how the Eichler atrium was born
The House that 'Home' Built
When national TV put Eichler Homes at center stage with the ambitious "House that 'Home' Built" program